3D Printing in Gel with Removable Injection Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional printing in gel is limited by the dimensions of the syringe, restricting the production of products to centimeters or decimeters, which is insufficient for applications in construction where larger dimensions, such as one meter, are required, especially for complex geometries like large overhangs and fruits in concrete products.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a tank filled with gel, a robotic arm, and an injection system with a removable connector and nozzle design that allows for larger dimensions and improved hydrodynamics, enabling the production of products with greater geometric complexity by modifying the position and orientation of the injection means and using a heating mechanism to reduce gel viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If three-dimensional printing by material deposition is used, then production speed and material quality are improved, but geometric complexity is limited due to gravity and solidification constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gel as an intermediary medium that suspends the printing material during deposition. This gel medium counteracts gravity's effect on the material, allowing it to be deposited in complex geometries including overhangs without collapsing. The gel acts as a temporary support structure that maintains material position until the material solidifies, thereby enabling geometric complexity while maintaining production speed through continuous deposition processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If formwork is created using 3D printing to enable complex geometries, then geometric complexity is improved, but process complexity and printing cost increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the formwork function from the traditional 3D printing process by introducing gel as a separate, pre-prepared medium. Instead of printing complex geometries layer-by-layer with material deposition constraints, the gel is prepared in advance to contain the material, and printing material is simply injected into the gel. This separation eliminates the need for complex formwork structures and simplifies the printing process while maintaining geometric complexity capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If three-dimensional printing in gel is used to increase geometric complexity, then geometric complexity is improved, but product dimensions are limited to syringe size (centimeters or decimeters)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the injection system into modular components: a robotic arm for positioning, a removable fitting for material delivery, and a gel-filled container. This segmentation allows the gel container to be scaled to any size independent of the injection mechanism. The removable fitting enables easy replacement or adjustment of injection components, while the robotic arm provides precise positioning capability across large volumes. This modular approach decouples the gel medium size from syringe dimensions, enabling meter-scale products while maintaining geometric complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of larger and more complex three-dimensional products, such as concrete items with large overhangs, by increasing the injection volume and precision, and facilitating the use of two-component materials, thus expanding the applicability of three-dimensional printing in gel beyond conventional limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a means of heating an external wall of the fitting and/or the injection means can be provided. The heating method allows the gel to be heated locally and for a very short time to reduce its viscosity during the passage of the fitting and the injection device.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
This device (2) comprises a container (74), a robotic arm (8), and an injection means, the robotic arm (8) being capable of modifying the position and/or orientation of the injection means relative to the container (74), the device (2) comprising a first feeding means. This device (2) comprises an oblong fitting having a first end and a second end, a first connecting means mechanically connecting the first end with the first feeding means and a second connecting means mechanically connecting the second end with the injection means, the mechanical connection implemented by at least one of the first and second connecting means being removable.